Jeep Cherokee vs Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 43 mpg combined versus 37 mpg for the Jeep Cherokee, a 6 mpg advantage and costs about $200 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Kia Sportage leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Jeep Cherokee
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 79 configurations
2015–2027
Kia Sportage
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 69 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Jeep Cherokee | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 37 mpg | 43 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 39 mpg | 42 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 35 mpg | 44 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,650 | $1,450 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 241 g/mi | 55 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | Hybrid, 2.4, SIDI, 3.2 | SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 9-spd | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85, Midgrade | Regular Gas and Electricity, Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 79 | 69 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Cherokee vs Sportage: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Jeep Cherokee or the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 43 mpg combined versus 37 mpg for the Jeep Cherokee, a 6 mpg advantage and costs about $200 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Kia Sportage runs about $1,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,650 for the Jeep Cherokee — a difference of roughly $200 per year.
What engines do the Cherokee and Sportage offer?
Jeep Cherokee: Hybrid, 2.4, SIDI, 3.2. Kia Sportage: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Jeep Cherokee and the Kia Sportage as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: jeep-cherokee-vs-kia-sportage